Salvatore Mezzatesta
Design Leadership & Strategic Innovation
Author of “The Art of Creative Product Strategy” book
Design Leadership, Design Management, Team Management
Design as a Checklist: The Danger of Reducing Creativity to Tasks
I’ve seen it countless times: teams scrambling to meet deadlines, rushing through projects with a checklist in hand, eager to tick off tasks and move on to the next item. In the thick of our day-to-day, it’s tempting to treat design like a series of tasks—a mechanical process where we…
How to Manage Difficult Stakeholders as a Design Leader
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a Design Leader, it’s this: no matter how strong your vision or how talented your team, you’ll inevitably manage difficult stakeholders. It’s part of the job. They might question your decisions, challenge your timelines, or simply seem uninterested in…
Insights from a Product Design Leader: My Interview with the WeRoad Product Team
I am excited to share the video and some of the insights from a recent engaging interview I had as a guest with the WeRoad Product Team. This discussion was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on my tenure as a Product Design Leader at Lebara and to impart lessons that I believe are…
Why Product Design Leadership Matters is Crucial
In the vibrant tapestry of today’s digital product design world, a critical question comes to the forefront: Is there a genuine need for Product Design Leadership? This question goes beyond the simple dynamics of job roles; it probes into the essential impact and contributions of…
Measuring Design Maturity: Essential Metrics and KPIs for Organizational Success
In today’s product design landscape, achieving excellence requires more than just creative flair—it demands a strategic approach. In this article, we’ll explore the critical subject of Measuring Design Maturity. We’ll delve into why it’s essential and, more importantly, how to…
Digital Transformation, Product Strategy, Innovation, AI
Announcing the Launch of “The Art of Creative Product Strategy” Book
I’m beyond excited and truly delighted to share some fantastic news! After more than two years filled with passion, hard work, countless late nights, endless cups of coffee, and incredible support from friends and mentors, my book “The Art of Creative Product Strategy” is…
Ethical AI in Digital Products: Designing for Trust and Transparency
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time diving deeper into AI and its role in digital products. It’s an exciting space, but one area that’s really caught my attention is how we, as Product Design Leaders, can embed ethical principles into AI-driven experiences. AI has the…
Product-Led vs Design-Led Strategy: Finding the Right Balance for Digital Success
When it comes to building digital products and strategies, there’s often a tug-of-war between two different approaches: Product-Led vs Design-Led strategy. If you’ve ever found yourself caught in a meeting debating which one is “better,” you’re not alone. But what if the answer isn’t…
Rabbit R1, AI, LAMs, and Conversational UIs: A New Generation of Devices
Typically, I reserve my writing for specific topics, such as Product Design Leadership, Product Strategy, and Design Management, however, today marks an exception as I want to delve into a particular product that – as a Product Design Expert and Tech Enthusiast – I believe has…
The Long-Term Impact of AI on the Job Market: A Wake-Up Call
In recent weeks, I’ve engaged in numerous discussions with tech industry professionals, focusing on the long-term impact of integrating AI into various business processes. This article aims to shed light on these impacts, offering a structured analysis and urging professionals to…